Job Discussion Forums

moosickboy1 · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:52 am Post subject:

I'm also looking at attending graduate school in Fall of '08. I'm really not sure where to start looking though. I'm a US Citizen, and so I thought it might be easiest to get a MA TESOL in the States, but should I look other places as well, like the UK? I like how it usually only takes a year in the UK, compared with 2 in the states.

Also, can anyone recommend good places to earn your MA TESOL? I know Monterey and the School of International Training were mentioned above. Are those the best in the states? Or are other places just as good? Does the "name recognition" of the University matter as much in this field as it does in some others?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just having trouble finding answers anywhere else.

Thanks in advance! Smile

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'm from the US, but I did MA TESL/TEFL thru U. Birmingham, England. It's a credible program, they offer a choice of full-time, on campus/ half by distance and half on campus, or full course by distance. Birmingham's considered relatively highly in the field (Collins COBuild is their baby), and I thought the program was quite solid overall. It was actually good to do it via distance, because I could apply theory to practice all the way through.
You might look into this as one possible option.
Leicester and Surrey are also very reputable British-based unis offering MA TESL/TEFL or applied linguistics.

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

I'm currently doing mine by distance learning with Nottingham University. It's in Applied Linguistics and ELT. The reason? My BA was in Spanish & Italian and I wanted an MA that would possibly give me a route into other non-related ELT positions, should I wish to change careers later. I highly recommend it as a course, and as a university it has a very good reputation in the UK....pm if you want more info RE the course.

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

How much of a salary/wage increase will the MA make? Teaching? Administration? Training?

Do most MA's stop teaching and go into management/training?

Do you think wages will increase in China in 3 years? With the growth in their economy? Korea seems to be where Japan was 20 years ago and China seems to be where Korea was 20 years ago? What do you think of my theory on salaries and the economy? Sorry for the side note.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

Have any of you looked into Scholarships via your country and state of origin? Like I am from California. I saw a scholarship for MA TESOL in New York State, but you have to give them 4 years of teaching in the New York City School system...no thank you.

Grant and Scholarship ideas...move back to home country get residency and apply for school after 3-4 years teaching abroad...hmmm

I like Spirals part-time program. But, $16k is big money. That is another thing. How do you get loans overseas? It must be difficult.

Dave

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

davechile · Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 87 Location: San Francisco, CA

Denise
So, it seems like maybe 20% difference if that? I know CA Teachers only get their MA in Ed to increase their pay. Or they want to become a principal.

How does that transalte in the TESOL Int'l world?

Dave

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:44 am Post subject:

I've been teaching at universities and colleges since 1993 - and an MA/M.Ed was the entry card. People with BAs in those schools were very rare.

As mentioned earlier - not always a lot more money - but almost always a MUCH easier schedule. I've typically worked four-day weeks, small class load, with anywhere from six to twenty (yes 20!) weeks paid vacation.

The easier work schedule allowed me to write and publish eight EFL textbooks and pursue hobbies - and best of all - travel at a relaxed place. I've never had to do the six countries in seven days routine. More like a month here and a month there.

Even if the money is not so much greater, the quality of life difference is HUGE.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:39 am Post subject:

Gautsch · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Toyota, Japan

If money is a factor then I can also recommend the online MAAL at UNE in Australia. It can either be done full-time in one year or part-time in up to four years. I'm doing mine in two while teaching full-time on the side and its a quite comfortable schedule. For Australians it costs A$5000 (4000 if you pay upfront) and I think $12'000 for int. students.

Not as good program as what MIIS or other schools offer in terms of practical experience...it's linguistics-based, with some TESOL units but you come out with a much better understanding of language, intercultural communication and the SLA process. Since you can work while doing it, it's not so heavy on the bank account

Cheers,

Gautsch

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject:

Hear Hear!

It's not that more money is necessarily coming your way with an MA- I don't have mine yet, but am earning comparably to a lot of people I know who do. But ask me how many hours I work to get it...

I have a friend who teaches 12 hours a week in a well-equipped university, 8 weeks vacation per year; I teach 4- 10 hours a week, have a full time admin position, and bust my behind on intensive teacher training courses several times a year. Our earnings are about the same.

See why I want the MA? It won't increase my salary much, but...

Best,

Justin